WESTERLY — Vermont-based storyteller Stephanie Phelan plans to share some classic Irish stories, songs and ballads Saturday afternoon at the Westerly Library during “Fireside Song and Story,” a program being hosted by the Irish Coastal Club of Westerly.
“She’s an exciting performer,” said Melita Motherway of Mystic, the president of the club whose mission is to “preserve and promote the music, language, dance, songs, literature and history of Ireland,” and which invites members and guests to “to explore all the joys of Irish culture.”
“I’ve been watching her perform for decades,” added Motherway. “She’s done all sorts of amazing things. She sings and writes and teaches workshops.”
As club president, Motherway said, she’s always “looking for talent” for the programs they sponsor at the library so immediately thought of her girlhood friend.
“We used to take the train together to school,” said Motherway, who grew up in Milford, Connecticut and attended Lauralton Hall for her high school years, where she met Phelan.
Phelan, who grew up in Westport, Connecticut and has advanced degrees in playwrighting, acting and directing, studied at Catholic University and Georgetown. She founded Four Corners Carollers in Bennington, Vermont and co-founded the Washington-D.C.-based Capitol Carollers, a high-quality vocal ensemble that performs for private parties and public events.
She also founded Fizzical Fairytales, a family entertainment company that creates performances for schools and libraries, and developed and directed a K-12 drama program for children with learning differences.
“She also just finished her first long-form play,” added Motherway Tuesday in a telephone conversation about her “talented friend.” “It’s called ‘The Florist.'”
Motherway said Phelan, who is very good at reading her audience and picking up on “vibes,” will most likely lead a singalong to share the “lilt of Irish laughter” with her audience.
“Irish songs are great for history and color and so full of emotion,” she said, “so there is so much to bring out.”
And the Westerly Library is the ideal place for the concert, she said.
“We have such a beautiful relationship with the library,” she said. “They are always so hospitable.”
“Fireside Song and Story,” will take place on Saturday, Jan. 17, from 2-3:30 p.m. at the Westerly Library, 44 Broad St., Westerly.